Ben Heller, rhp, Yankees. Heller—and J.P. Feyereisen for that matter—are overshadowed pieces of the exchange in the deal that sent Andrew Miller to the Indians. But Heller is standing out this spring, while Justus Sheffield and Clint Frazier went sent to minor league camp. The hard-throwing righthander pitched 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday against Tampa Bay, and this spring has an 0.82 ERA in 11 innings with 11 strikeouts. Heller struggled in a brief audition last fall, but he has a high-octane fastball that can hit 100 mph and a slider. He remains in the mix for one of the final bullpen spots.

Reds release Ryan Raburn.

Baltimore released Bourn and Johnson.

which Johnson? The one we got for Bourn and Swisher?

Chris Johnson, yes the one who played briefly for us.

So bourn and Johnson will likely join Swisher on the unemployed but well-paid list this year. I think all still get paid in 2017, or is it just Johnson who's drawing a final baseball salary in 2017 from the Tribe

Monster spring lands Aguilar on Crew's roster
Offseason waiver claim launches sixth home run of camp in Tuesday's win

PHOENIX -- Jesus Aguilar had already made the Brewers' Opening Day roster before smashing a tying, three-run home run in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 13-12 win over the Indians. He just didn't know it yet.

Manager Craig Counsell informed Aguilar after the game that he'd made the cut, but delivered the opposite news to three non-roster invitees: Utility men Ivan De Jesus Jr. and Eric Sogard and catcher Rene Garcia. With that, the Brewers were left with 12 position players, an indication that they are prepared to carry an extra pitcher into Opening Day.

"Look, we said all spring, 'Prove to us that you belong on the team,'" Counsell said. "[Aguilar] had a spring where he earned a spot on the team."
Acquired off waivers -- coincidentally, from the Indians -- just before the start of camp, Aguilar is hitting .463 with a 1.395 OPS through his first 54 Spring Training at-bats. His homer on Tuesday against his former team was Aguilar's sixth. [ Aguilar is ranked #1 out of all position players this spring. The above stats do not include today's games. Today, Aguilar had another homer (7th) in a 2-4 day.

Aguilar is 1st in AVG, 1st OBP, 1st SLG, 1st OPS, 2nd HR, 2nd hits, 5th RBI, 7W, 12K ]

( Jesus Aguilar hit his 7th HR and Travis Shaw his 4th in support of starter Zach Davies. )

"I just had the mentality coming in here that I had to prove it," Aguilar said. "I played winter ball and that helped me, too. I got here early. I worked with Sandy [Guerrero, a Brewers Minor League coach] early in camp.

"I didn't want to go back to Triple-A. I just felt like I needed to be myself out here."

Now comes the next challenge: Staying hot if the frequency of his at-bats diminish. The Brewers signed Eric Thames to a three-year deal and he figures to see the majority of starts at first base.

Based in part on Aguilar's strong showing, the Brewers re-introduced Thames to the outfield over the past week. That could be one mechanism to get Aguilar into the lineup.

Across the field on Tuesday, Indians manager Terry Francona tipped his cap.

"I think he's getting his chance and he's taking advantage of it," Francona said. "Good for him. Because for various reasons he was blocked over here. I know he felt like he wanted an opportunity. Well he's getting it, and it looks like he's taken advantage of it."

I played winter ball and that helped me, too

[ Aguilar did work on his new approach to hitting this winter - more contact - less strikeouts! It's seems to be working so far. I was hoping management would wait until the end of spring training to make a decision. Guess they couldn't wait. Now! Can he carry the spring stats over to the season? Highly unlikely that he can keep up this pace. Some doors close. Some doors open. Jesus' door opened this spring. Let's see how far he can run with it. ]

Best thing that ever happened to Aguilar was getting cut by the Indians

Congratulations Jesus and Joe, his disciple.

Tyler Holt reassigned to minors. Surprised he came that close to making a team. He's got a nice career ahead of him as a AAAA OF. With some major league time behind him, I believe he's guaranteed a 6-figure annual salary, so no reason to hang it up even if major league stays are brief and infrequent.

despite a nearly flawless spring, Ben Heller doesn't make the Yankees bullpen.

I always liked Tyler Holt when he was in the upper levels of our system and thought he'd make a darn fine 4th OF'er. Good D, speed, got on base. But for some reason it just never translated into the majors.

Ex Indians:

Jeremy Guthrie, reassigned to minors by Nationals.
Chris Giminez signed to major league contract by Twins
Austin Adams DFA'd by Angels
Anthony Santander DL'd by Orioles. He has to spend 90 days I think on their roster before his Rule 5 terms expire.

Looks like there is good reason that the Indians traded this moron:

On WFAN today, Yankees radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman told Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts that highly touted Yankees prospect Clint Frazier asked the Yankees “if they ever un-retire numbers.” As if that question wasn’t batshit enough, Waldman says Frazier wanted to wear No. 7, which once belonged to a little-known Yankees player named Mickey Mantle.

Frazier’s immaturity was the subject of a handful of stories out of spring training—a good amount of that perception came from Frazier showing up at camp with his ginger locks all disorderly, which doesn’t fit the Yankee Way—but asking the Yankees if he can wear Mickey Mantle’s number is exceptional.

Regarding your hope of wearing No. 7 for the Yankees, Clint, here’s your answer: No.

Aguilar is off to a decent start. In three games, a pinch hit single, 1-2 in his first start of the season, and tonight a pinch hit single riding home on a Villar homer in the bottom of the 8th.

Twins are 2-0 after spanking the Royals twice.

Taillon and Sale play dueling pitches tonight. No decisions for either pitcher. Both pitched 7 innings of shutout ball. Sandy Leon ended in the bottom of the 12th with a three run blast.

Weather out here sucks. Tigers are 1-0. 2 of the 3 game set were washed out.

40 degrees in Boston tonight.

40 degrees with 50 mph winds in Chicago.